Man carrying umbrella that looked like sword arrested

Updated 3:08 pm, Monday, December 17, 2012

A Connecticut State Police tactical team searches a train station near an elementary school, which was in a lockdown, in Ridgefield, Conn., Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a suspicious person was seen near the station. On Friday, authorities say a gunman killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before taking his own life.

Photo: AP

A Connecticut State Police tactical team searches a train station...

Police blocking Florida Road in Ridgefield

Photo: Mike Duffy

Police blocking Florida Road in Ridgefield

A Connecticut State Police tactical team gathers while searching near an elementary school, which was in a lockdown, in Ridgefield, Conn., Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a suspicious person was seen near a nearby train station. On Friday, authorities say a gunman killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before taking his own life.

Photo: AP

A Connecticut State Police tactical team gathers while searching...

Police officers walk up to an elementary school, which was in a lockdown, in Ridgefield, Conn., Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a suspicious person was seen near the train station close to the school. On Friday, authorities say a gunman killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before taking his own life.

Photo: AP

Police officers walk up to an elementary school, which was in a...

Police officers cross the road after searching a strip mall near an elementary school, which was in a lockdown, in Ridgefield, Conn., Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a suspicious person was seen near a train station close by. On Friday, authorities say a gunman killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before taking his own life.

Photo: AP

Police officers cross the road after searching a strip mall near an...

Norwalk Police respond to a report of a man carring a rifle at the Branchville Train Station in Ridgefield Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The report turned out to be false, police said.
Photo: Michael Duffy

Norwalk Police respond to a report of a man carring a rifle at the...

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, left, stands with police at Flordia Road leading to Branchville Elementary School as they respond to a report of a man carring a rifle at the Branchville Train Station in Ridgefield Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The report turned out to be false, police said.
Photo: Michael Duffy

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, left, stands with police...

Ridgefield police spokesman Tom Comstock speaks at a press conference after police responded to a report of a man carring a rifle at the Branchville Train Station in Ridgefield Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The report turned out to be false, police said.
Photo: Michael Duffy

Ridgefield police spokesman Tom Comstock speaks at a press...

Ridgefield police spokesman Tom Comstock speaks at a press conference after police responded to a report of a man carring a rifle at the Branchville Train Station in Ridgefield Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The report turned out to be false, police said.
Photo: Michael Duffy

Ridgefield police spokesman Tom Comstock speaks at a press...

Ridgefield police spokesman Tom Comstock speaks at a press conference after police responded to a report of a man carring a rifle at the Branchville Train Station in Ridgefield Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The report turned out to be false, police said.
Photo: Michael Duffy

He was "wearing all black clothing, a watch cap with a face mask looking like a beard," Capt. Thomas Comstock said. "Across his back was an umbrella but it had the outward appearance of a Samuri sword."

After the 8 a.m. call that a man was carrying what appeared to be a rifle near Portland Avenue and Ethan Allen Highway, schools went on lock down and a school bus was diverted.

In an 11:15 a.m. email to parents, Superintendent Deborah Low said: "The police have given the all clear. After an extensive police search, no dangerous activity was discovered."

The man was reportedly seen with a rifle near the Branchville train station; Branchville Elementary School is near the station, but students were not yet inside the school when the report came in.

Low said Branchville Elementary school buses were diverted to East Ridge Middle School and the students were put in the auditorium.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi said a motorist traveling on Route 7 told police he saw a man with a rifle.